From McClatchy's Franco Ordonez:
LILESVILLE, N.C. It was after 11:30 a.m. Wednesday when I pulled up to the small country restaurant with a nine-foot rooster out front.
An unhinged semi-trailer sat in the gravel lot. I peered into the window hoping to see perhaps the most elusive Democrat in North Carolina – U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell.
It was just an hour’s drive from Charlotte and the Democratic National Convention where thousands of faithful, hard-core Democrats have joined together for the biggest political party the state has ever experienced.
So where the heck is Kissell, the Biscoe Democrat who is in a fight to keep his seat in the 8th Congressional District.
The congressman would meet me, I was told Tuesday night, when he traveled to Lilesville in Anson County, about 60 miles from Charlotte, to meet voters and have lunch before heading to Union County. I was told I’d be contacted the next morning with a specific meeting point.
But the call never came. My calls were never returned.
Kissell is a familiar face at The Old Store, a former gas station that is now part-restaurant, part-convenience store and part-antique shop. It seemed like a good place to find the congressman since it’s the only restaurant open for lunch on Wednesdays in this town of less than 600. Staff refer to him as Mr. Kissell.
“He does come by quite a bit, but I haven’t seen him today,” said Joy Hildreth, owner of The Old Store. “Maybe he’ll show up.”
Ask Republicans, and they’ll tell you Kissell’s face should be on a “Wanted” poster. Read more here.
